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Local News Briefs Friday 5/16/14

16-May-2014

Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation President Steve Jenkins delivered a message to the City Council this week, “The future is now.” Jenkins says everyone has to chip in when it comes to home grown jobs. He says that starts with giving entrepreneurs the breaks they need to develop a business. He told Council members there are some nice projects developing in the downtown including Marian’s re-purposing of the A.C. Nielsen Building and Commonwealth Development’s development of the former Retlaw Theater that could spur growth along Main Street. He also told them to be kind, pleasant and interested when talking to visitors to the community. He says that crucial first impression might be with someone considering doing business in Fond du Lac. He says everyone has a role to play in economic development and when you’re talking to a visitor introduce yourself, ask if they are visiting and if they are ask if you can help them.

Arson Case Still Being Investigated

Fond du Lac Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says the investigation into an apartment fire at an apartment complex on North Seymour is continuing. He says even though a 27-year-old Fond du Lac man has been charged for the fire at the Hometown Harbor Apartments, their investigation continues. He says with accusations they were hearing they brought in the state fire marshal’s office for their expertise in helping the fire and police departments with their investigation. Haase says they are aware that someone was charged this week and the case is making its way through court, but it’s not something they can comment on to make sure the suspect gets a fair trial. Laney Amons was charged this week arson and burglary. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Thursday.

Horicon Woman Arraigned On Child Neglect Charges

The 25-year-old Horicon woman suspected of raising her two young children in a home that was “unfit for humans” was arraigned in Dodge County Court this week. Secoy Koch-Miller pled “not guilty” to the two felony child neglect charges she’s facing. The alleged neglect occurred while she was living with her mother in Burnett in a home that’s been condemned. According to the criminal complaint the house was filled with animal and human waste, mice, black mold and had no running water and dead maggots in the refrigerator. Investigators say the home was that of a typical “hoarder.” The two-year-old toddler had spiders living in his hair and both children were covered with bug bites. The children have been placed with a foster family.

Sheboygan Man Charged For ReStore Theft

(WHBL-Sheboygan)-A Sheboygan man faces burglary charges for stealing a safe from the Habitat Restore in Plymouth in March. County prosecutors say 23-year-old Nicholas Holz forced his way into the store on the night of March 9th, where he took a safe and left. He was later able to open the safe, took about $230 from it, and then left it along Highway 28 in the Town of Lima. The safe was found five days later, and DNA evidence from a necklace found at the store pointed to Holz as a suspect. Holz admitted to the crime earlier this week, saying he was desperate for money to buy groceries and gas.

75 Small Signs Installed On FDL Bike Loop

New signage will help guide those using the new bike loop in the Fond du Lac area. Fond du Lac Public Works Director Jordan Skiff says the Bike Loop Coalition got donations for 75 small signs for the bike loop. He says the signs were put in by his crews and county crews. He says those visiting bike enthusiasts who find themselves on a prairie trail can read the signs to direct them to other locations on the loop. Skiff says there is still a little work to do on the infrastructure of the bike loop. He says that includes painting some bike lanes and some shared use arrows in the Dixie and Hickory Street areas, and they need to improve some bike ramps for safer street crossing.

Petri Applauds Recognition Of Mercury Marine And Badger Mining

Congressman Tom Petri applauds the naming of Mercury Marine of Fond du Lac and Badger Mining Corporation of Berlin as Wisconsin Business Friends of the Environment by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Mercury Marine is specifically cited for their innovation of the Mercury Enertia ECO propeller to improve fuel efficiency for high-horsepower outboard motors and the ECO-Gauge to encourage optimal fuel efficiency. Badger Mining Corporation is highlighted for its integration of Geomorphic Land Reclamation, BMC as a way of “providing superior environmental outcomes and demonstrating that industrial sand mining can coexist with robust environmental standards.” Congressman Petri says, “Mercury Marine provides thousands of high-quality jobs for our local economy and recently celebrated 75 years of business in our area. Badger Mining has been growing as a company for 35 years and has deep roots in our area with mining operations. But beyond their economic success, both companies set an example as dedicated stewards of the environment.”

Lane Closure On FDL’s Johnson Street

Fond du Lac’s Engineering Department tells us that the south, eastbound lane of Johnson Street will be closed between Macy Street and Main Street Friday (today). The lane closure is due to connection of a sanitary sewer lateral for the new Kwik Trip development at 158 N. Main Street. The north, eastbound lane will be open to traffic however there may be delays due to the south lane closure. The public is asked to plan an alternate route during this time as there will not be a marked detour.

Stamp Convention In FDL This Weekend

The Retlaw Hotel in Fond du Lac is hosting the annual state postage stamp show this weekend. Show hours Saturday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show is open to the public and admission is free. The show will feature 16 dealers, stamp exhibits, free stamp collection appraisals, free stamps and activities for youth and beginning collectors. It will also include hobby talks, door prizes, a U.S. Postal Service booth and special commemorative cancel. It’s the 83rd convention and exhibition for the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs.

Marian Commencement This Weekend

Marian University in Fond du Lac will hold its 74th spring commencement today and Saturday. The weekend begins today with the School of Nursing pinning ceremony beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Marian's Sadoff Gymnasium. The School of Education will also hold its pinning and commissioning ceremony at 5:00 p.m. in Dorcas Chapel. All graduates and guests are invited to the President's Champagne Reception in the Hornung Student Center at 6:00 p.m. following the ceremonies. Activities on Saturdaywill begin with a Graduation Liturgy in Dorcas Chapel at 10:30 a.m. The graduation ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. outdoor on the Marian University quad. Marian alumna, Dr. Tosha Meredith will be the commencement speaker. Meredith is the owner of a management consulting firm that specializes in providing financial literacy training for low-to-moderate income. Dr. Dianne Bergant will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree. Dr. Patrick G. Coy will be presented with the Magnificat Award. In addition, Dr. Bruce Prall, will earn Professor Emeritus status. Prall served as a professor of chemistry and physical science in Marian University¹s School of Arts and Sciences for 42 years, and was an integral part of the growth of Marian University.

Dodge County Open House Saturday

Dodge County officials will be holding public tours of County facilities Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tours will include the Sheriff’s Office and Jail, Courthouse, Administration Building, Clearview Nursing Home and Highway Department in Juneau. Dodge County Sheriff Pat Ninmann says, “This is an opportunity for the public to see the many great things that the County has to offer as well as highlight the work of the dedicated employees of Dodge County.”

Comments 1

Anonymous commented on 16-May-2014 08:10 AM

Commencement has been moved inside with liturgy moved to 9:00 a.m. The first ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m.

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